So with the holidays comes stress.

Planning, cooking, shopping, wrapping up things prior to the New Year, we all have lots of stuff to do! If you need a little time to unwind, or know someone who is in serious need of some TLC, here are five gift ideas to create some zen and balance in your day (or someone else’s!) whether its for a minute, an hour, or the whole day.

Escents Natural Wellness Blend Trio

Meant to be used in a diffuser (I have this one), add a few drops of one of these essential oils to ease tension, stress or relieve cold and flu symptoms.  This trio of best-selling pure essential oil blends is the perfect gift for anyone who needs some TLC ASAP.  When essential oils are combined, the therapeutic benefits compounded are more powerful than alone. This trio includes 10 ml’s of Head Aid Wellness Blend (peppermint and lavender), Breathe Easy Wellness Blend (eucalyptus, rosemary), and Stress Relief Wellness Blend (neroli, bergamot), all housed in a wooden box.

If you don’t have a diffuser, never fear, you can add some drops of these guys to an unscented product to create a custom product (maybe a custom body butter?).

$37.55 at Escents Aromatherapy stores and online.

Mettrum Originals

Planning on making your, or someone on your list, New Year’s resolution to eat healthier or lose weight?  Canadian-brand Mettrum Originals can help you get there.

As the first hemp food brand in Canada, they introduced the baking industry to hemp seed flour, which you can sub into your recipe (just substitute anywhere from five to 25 per cent of the total flour called for in the recipe) to add a boost of healthy fibre and protein.

Other cooking favourites I love is the Cold-Pressed Hemp Oil, which provides a 3:1 Omega-6: Omega-3 EFA ratio and GLA and Omega-9. Hemp oil contains more natural occurring essential fatty acids than any other plant-derived oil.  Use it as a dip with bread, or as a flavour enhancer (I add it to salmon before cooking). Also, check out the Raw Shelled Hemp Seeds, which are an excellent source of essential fatty acids, including Omega 3, Omega 6, and GLA. I add them to smoothies or on top of plain oatmeal for an extra nutritional kick.

Mettrum doesn’t just carry food products.  They have a variety of lip balms, a massage oil, and a deep moisturizing cream.  If you are on the more creative side, try creating your own exfoliator made from sugar, vanilla, and their hemp oil, and then house it in a mason jar, complete with a cute label.

Yves Rocher Holiday Candles, Lotions, and Fragrances

Bath and body products are such standard gifts, but spice them up by throwing in candles and scents!  I love Yves Rocher because of their affordable prices and the fact that it’s a European brand (always more luxurious!). I always look forward to the holiday collection, and although I already posted about the makeup, they have so many more goodies for the holiday season (in amazing, drool-worthy scents!). Scents include Candied Orange & Almond, Candied Orange & Cinnamon, and Spicy Vanilla.

My top picks are the Apple Delight scented candle (C$9), Apple Delight eau de toilette (C$7), Spicy Vanilla body lotion (C$6) and body wash (C$4), Candied Orange & Cinnamon bath oil, and Candied Orange & Cinnamon Liquid Hand Soap (C$5).

A blowout from the Aveda Institute & Academy

In need of some TLC?  Get (or give!) an inexpensive zen experience at the Aveda Institute.

As much as I love doing my own hair, there’s nothing like going to the salon and getting them to wash and style it (plus, pick up some tips while you watch them do it!). The Aveda Institute Winnipeg offers a wash & style starting at $14 (for Institute students, Academy Level starts at $25).  Regardless of who you go to (if you have a whole afternoon and not in a rush, book with an Institute student; if you are in a time crunch, book with the Academy Level), you’ll get the full Aveda experience.  They start with a head massage using one of their signature Aveda oils, then take you to the sinks for a therapeutic wash.  Next, they style the hair and leave you looking (and feeling!) so fabulous.  Book for a special event, or just cause! There’s never a bad day for a blow out.

The Body Shop Lippy Star Wand

Good for kids (or for the kid at heart), the Lippy Star Wand (C$22) contains five Lip Butters in fruity flavours (strawberry, raspberry, satsuma, watermelon, and passionberry).

Chapped lips are a given with cold weather, so keep them hydrated (and kissable – hello mistletoe!) with this fun wand.  Gift this together or split it up and share among five friends (also makes a great stocking stuffer). Also, this particular gift provides one day of safe water for a family in Ethiopia, courtesy of The Body Shop and WaterAid.

Plus one more…

The ultimate wellness gift is giving back (good for the soul!).  Help a family in need, volunteer at a homeless shelter, or make a donation to your favourite charity. Some of my top picks here in Winnipeg are D’Arcy’s A.R.C. (we adopted Chase, our mini American Eskimo from there), as well as Manitoba Riding for the Disabled Association (MRDA), which is a therapeutic riding program for children with disabilities (in fact, it’s the only therapeutic riding program for children ages five to 15 years of age).  MRDA receives no government funding and relies on donations to keep operational. You can make a donation here.

Whether it’s giving back, pampering, or creating zen around the home, there’s lots of gifts to give someone who is looking for a little TLC this holiday season.

What sort of wellness will you be gifting?

Also, don’t forget to enter my Wen by Chaz Dean and Kiss lashes and nails giveaways!

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